The history of Cryogenics and the birth of Thermal Cycling
A Journey from the Dark Age to the Space Age...
The true development of cryogenics is unknown, it is likely that developing man found that he could temper metals with fire and then used the snow to cool it. During the iron and the bronze ages it is equally likely that craftsmen of the day used the available ice and snow's below zero temperatures to help temper their metals. In reality the 'blue metal' that the Egyptians discovered during their conquests of the lands now known as Ethiopia were highly likely to have been early steels, forged in fire and quenched with water then treated with sub zero ice and snow in the high mountains that give birth to the Nile River. Proving so devastating against the bronze weaponry of the day it was readily adopted by the conquerors of a dynasty that would continue for four thousand years. The science, or at least documented application of the process, comes to us from early watch making and in the creation of high quality chron
ographs. The Swiss discovered that by placing the finely manufactured gears in the snow and ice during the winter after heating produced a precision that became synonymous with excellence for generations. Modern cryogenics as a science began a period of formal exploration during and following World War 2 where any advantage was sought to gain a winning edge. The system was largely uneventful despite a number of successful applications when units were placed in dry ice for long periods (up to five days). Unfortunately for the development of the successes at the time, cost and difficulty of the treatment far outweighed the advantages.
During the early 1960's the science became fashionable again with the use of relatively easily attainable liquid nitrogen as the medium. Research conducted by Dr. Randal Barron and Dr. Jeff Levine at separate university's in the United States began to quantify astounding results. Unfortunately the time of treatment failed to better the experimentation of the 40's and 50's and once again, although a small hardy industry remained operating this time, the lack of commercial results to mirror those attained by Barron and Levine devalued the scientific results. With treatment times relatively unaltered from several days, the industrial imperative could not be suitably catered for. Once again the possibility of radical breakthrough foundered on a reef of indifference and was starved of scientific research for two more decades. 
In the late 1980's radical Inventors and Engineers began experimentation with Thermal Cycling and Thermal Shock principles. They proposed applications that reversed all mainstream beliefs in the science of temperature extremes. This research, based in part on the evidence of returning space vehicles, centered on applications of both extreme cold and oscillating temperature variations to evenly alter the molecular structure of metals and manufactured components. This allowed for a reduction in treatment time, even more impressively, well within the timeframe demands of modern industry.
Twenty five years of research, design and experimentation has led to the development of the revolutionary cryogenic treatment system known as the COLDfire Thermal Cycling Technology. It has demonstrated gains in component life and cost savings of up to four times, teamed with increases in safety and working efficiency. All our testing and results are compiled in the practical working environment of the subject component, not a controlled laboratory. Even more impressive is the ability of COLDfire to deliver these savings at a fraction of the cost of even one replacement unit and generally all within a 24 hour period. Because of these and many more substantial developments, the COLDfire Thermal Cycling Technology of cryogenic treatment has found a permanent home as a viable cost saving alternative to expensive replacements with many of the world's top companies and is adding more to the list every day.